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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, at a media session after attending an event today (January 18):
Reporter: Just a quick question, what is the investigation's direction and progress now? And why would you address the issue so late? Have you underestimated the seriousness of the issue?
Secretary for Security: As we know that, the Police are now working very hard ever since the receipt of the report that the maid claimed that she had been abused. The Government takes a very serious view of this case because wounding is a serious offence under Hong Kong law and every person in Hong Kong is protected by the law under equal terms. We do not tolerate any such kind of misbehaviour. Wounding is a serious offence. According to the Offences Against the Person Ordinance, a person if convicted of wounding another person with intent that causes grievous bodily harm, can, upon conviction, be sentenced to imprisonment for three years and even more. The Police have been working hard on this case, collecting evidence from available information and they have already asked the Indonesian Police through the Interpol to make arrangements for them to go to Indonesia to conduct an in-depth interview with the injured lady, so that they can obtain the necessary information and evidence to conduct a very thorough and detailed investigation of the case.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Saturday, January 18, 2014
Issued at HKT 22:41
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